Player Guides

Certain players who have the strong desire to help new players adjust to the unique world of Alyria are designated, officially, as GUIDES. This designation is visible by using the GUIDE command.

GUIDES have the ability to monitor prays, and join and leave the Novice Clan, as well as offer some hands-on minor assistance to players in need. A Guide can also assist in player-to-player squabbles, and is trusted to mediate minor disputes.

Interested in Becoming a Guide?

What does it take to be a successful Guide?

We want our Guides to be successful and enjoy their work. From past experience, we know that there are certain characteristics that make people more successful than others:

Patience

Dealing with players, especially new players, takes a LOT of patience. Many players need to be led by the hand in figuring out the things you take for granted (e.g. moving from one room to another, getting something out of 2.bag, etc.). Just remember when you answer the same question for the fortieth time that you were once a new player and asked some “simple” questions too.

Flexibility

You need to be willing to work with players and other staff members in ways that may not always be ideal. You will be called upon to put your ingenuity to the test on many occasions as you try to lead a new player who is lost or who is trying to figure something new out.

Flexibility also refers to being willing to set aside your own game-play to assist other players. It is expected that when you are online and no other Guides are enabled, that you be willing to enable.

Common sense and pride

Sometimes the easiest answer is the right one. The player who claims he has lost something is often holding it. The player who claims he is lost, is often just being lazy and doesn’t want to walk to where he needs to go. You will need to evaluate each player’s situation and take the best action for them.

You are not expected to do everything for them, just Guide them in their activates. This means, don’t transfer someone just because he/she is lost and you don’t want to take the time to help them find their way. As a Guide, you should be able to feel good about helping players and they should feel good about having you help them. This is where the communication comes in.

A willingness to communicate

You will have to communicate with lots of different kinds of players (some grumpy, some upset, some confused, and some just plain clueless). Being a good communicator will enable you to succeed in helping them and keeping your own enjoyment of your role as Guide. You need to be aware that

A thick skin

Your assistance may not always meet with the approval of others. There will be times when they are unhappy with what you have to tell them (e.g. no, I cant transfer you, or sorry, I cant help you with quest objectives). They may become rude and obnoxious, so you will have to just let it go because replying will only exasperate the problem. Also, you may occasionally find a staff member saying something short, or abrupt sounding on Guide talk.

You can’t take such things personally since it is often a function of someone being too busy to formulate a more polite sounding response or they are being pulled in too many directions at once (this is often true of the Immortals who may be dealing with several issues simultaneously). Needless to say, a thick skin is a valuable commodity.

Guide Application

If you are interested in becoming a Materia Magica Player Guide and meet the aforementioned qualifications, you may download the Guide Application here: